In searching for an appropriate conceptual strategy, we began with a simple archetypal form: a two-storey house with a gabled roof, its ridge oriented along the axis of the adjacent road in order to comply with local building regulations. This “foundation stone – fundus” was then carefully examined and, according to a set of predefined criteria, gradually “carved” and reduced.

The house is positioned in the upper part of a steep slope, allowing the entrance level to connect directly to the street via a slender steel platform, while the partially embedded lower level naturally extends into the garden, minimizing the need for major terrain modifications. From the original mass, we conically cut away the north-eastern and north-western corners. As a result, the figure of the house gently opens from north to south, towards the garden.

This cutting is not arbitrary, but defined by a precise angle. The cutting planes, together with the terrain, shape the eastern and western façades, which take on the exact geometry of a regular parallelogram – the ground line runs parallel to the roof edges. The outcome is a clear, legible, and compact architectural figure.

The floor plan is organized into a 3×3 grid, which structurally and functionally defines the interior space. The conical reduction of the corners introduces a distinct hierarchy: the peripheral fields along the northern façade are spatially minimized and accommodate the main technical and storage facilities of the house. In contrast, the fields along the southern façade are generous, well-lit, and opened towards the garden through large glazing, containing the principal living spaces.

The design concept deliberately engages with the structural system and the natural expression of materials, both in the interior and the exterior.

For the exterior, we sought a material solution that would reinforce the “sculptural” character of the house and unify the façades with the roof into a single continuous envelope. Based on these criteria, we selected a corrugated fibre-cement cladding in a natural grey tone, applied across all façades as well as the roof. The corrugated surface lends the house a compact, cohesive appearance, while allowing subtle modulation of light across its form.

The house is designed in the Červený kopec area, located on the north-western edge of Trutnov, approximately 1.3 km in a straight line from the city’s historic centre. A clear advantage of this developing residential district lies in its position and orientation: the site occupies a south-facing slope with direct views towards the old town and the distant horizon of the open Podkrkonoší landscape.

The building plot, with a total area of 1,007 m², is situated at the edge of the planned development zone, roughly midway up the hillside, in close proximity to a forest. The parcel has the shape of a parallelogram measuring approximately 50 × 20 metres and lies on a steep southern slope with a longitudinal height difference of up to 8 metres.

Along its northern boundary, at the highest point of the site, the plot connects directly to the access road and the technical infrastructure. To the west, it borders an already developed parcel, while to the east it adjoins another plot designated for future construction. A pedestrian passage is planned along the southern edge, providing a free connection between neighbouring building lots.

The site offers spectacular views towards the historic city centre in a south-eastern direction. The southern and western sides are further enhanced by the immediate presence of the forest. Combined with its near-terminal position within a quiet cul-de-sac with only minimal daily traffic, the plot represents an excellent choice within this locality.

The project consists of a simple two-storey house with a gabled roof pitched at 40°, oriented perpendicular to the axis of the adjacent access road. The building is positioned in the upper part of a steep south-facing slope, set back approximately 5 metres from the plot boundary.

The entrance level is connected to the terrain by a lightweight steel platform, which also forms a carport structure with space for an additional parking bay. Integrated into this construction is a concealed area for two waste bins, located “in shadow” behind the existing utility connection pillar. The entrance frame structure is conceived entirely in galvanized steel, with an open grating floor, founded on concrete pads.

From the main entrance door, a central connecting corridor extends through the floor plan. The layout of this level is organized according to a nine-field grid (3×3), establishing the primary spatial order of the house. The main circulation axis runs through the centre, with individual rooms attached sequentially along its length.

The peripheral fields along the northern façade are the smallest and accommodate the technical facilities, including a utility room, workshop, and vestibule. The central fields adjacent to the corridor contain a generous staircase and, opposite it, a bathroom. The largest peripheral fields along the southern façade offer direct views into the garden and therefore house two children’s bedrooms positioned on either side of the plan.

The conical geometry of the floor plan combined with the gabled roof influences the height of the roof base: it reaches its maximum along the northern façade and its minimum along the southern façade. This condition is exploited in the attic zone, which is most suitable on the northern side above the utility spaces. Here, a storage loft is proposed, accessible via retractable attic stairs from the workshop.

In contrast, the children’s rooms on the southern façade provide sufficient headroom for inserted mezzanine levels. The final bay of the corridor is terminated by a large south-facing window, bringing daylight deep into the interior. The ceiling height in this section reaches nearly five metres, suggesting additional potential uses, such as a suspended rope net accessible from the mezzanines in the children’s rooms.

The lower terrain level follows the same spatial division as the entrance floor and is partially embedded into the ground on the northern side. Its core is an open-plan living area connected to the kitchen, oriented longitudinally north–south, occupying more than half of the floor area.

The kitchen is located along the northern façade, while the living zone faces south. At the centre, a dining table for six to eight people is positioned adjacent to a large window in the western façade, providing direct access to the garden. Additional rooms include a bedroom in the south-eastern corner and a bathroom with toilet in the opposite north-eastern corner. The space beneath the staircase may serve as a pantry, wardrobe, or other storage facility.